PEDRO TALKS
From Back Page recruitment process, along with executives Stewart Robertson and Andrew Dickson. Former Birmingham boss Gary Rowett and Norwich’s Alex Neil are also believed to be in contention.
But we can reveal Caixinha, 46, was the first candidate to make the trip to the English capital, flying in from Qatar seven days earlier.
It’s believed he made a massive impression on the Rangers regime.
Caixinha spent this week preparing his Al-Gharafa team for a Q League clash with Al-Sailiya this afternoon.
Also, after returning to Qatar last week, Caixinha was approached by top brass from the mega rich outfit with the promise of an extension to his £2million a year contract, which has less than three months to run.
The club’s president, Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al-Thani, insists they want to hold on to the ex-Sporting Lisbon No.2.
He said: “We are aware we need to be patient with Caixinha and his work and give him time to bring through young players.
“Al-Gharafa has a bright future with the current management team and we are confident we are going to get better and better with Caixinha as manager.”
But sources close to Caixinha insisted the ambitious coach would be willing to take a massive drop in wages for a move back to European football – and sees rebuilding Rangers as an ideal project.
Caixinha thought he was heading to Ibrox in summer 2015 as No.2 to countryman Vitor Periera.
But it fell through when Rangers blew the chance of promotion by crashing out in a playoff against Motherwell.
As Caixinha prepared for what could be his last game in Qatar today, he refused to discuss Rangers.
Caixinha – hit yesterday with a £2500 fine for touchline antics and public complaints about officials – said: “I am only going to talk about Al-Gharafa. We are just five points off fourth and a win would be a huge boost.”
‘This is a critical appointment. If Rangers have done due dilligence on Caixinha then by all means let him have a crack at the job’
clean from top to bottom. They need a new chairman, new directors and new players.”
said: “Plenty of names are being thrown into the hat from Ibrox and ex-Rangers players resigning management positions to make themselves available.
“One name I haven’t heard mentioned though is Ian Durrant. He was sacked by Mark Warburton in a very poor manner it seems.
“If the club needs an ex-Rangers man back to help out in the interim then why not Durranty?”
emailed this view: “Rangers must appoint Derek McInnes. He is proven at this level, knows the league and the club. It is his time to take on the challenge at Ibrox.”
Meanwhile reckons if Graeme Murty is in charge of Ranges for the visit to Celtic Park then they could be lambs to the slaughter.
Carl said: “Murty says he has no fear bringing his Rangers flops to Celtic Park? Well, before half-time he will be telling his assistant to ‘start the car’ as he tries to escape the baying Rangers fans.”
said: “King was supposed to come to the club’s rescue. Celtic will be disappearing over the horizon soon enough.”
Bluenose emailed in by taking yet another swipe at Hoops boss Brenda Rodgers.
Rab said: “I laugh at the Celtic fans who slag off the possible appointment of Caixinha at Rangers.
“Rodgers and his merry band might be on cloud nine at present but before he got the easiest job in football he had a £100million budget and took Liverpool from Champions League football to no European football. Rogers is a one-season wonder.”
Finally said: “Shouldn’t Rangers be hiring a director of finance and not a director of football?
“They want a new manager and a director of football. How are they going to play both of those salaries? Do Provident still do cheques?” CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY FROM 10 TILL NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk